Indian Defence scientists claim they have developed a beyond-visual-range missile, Lahat, for the indigenous main battle tank Arjun. The laser homing missile can be fired from the 120-mm rifle gun of the tank, which now gets a capability matching the recently-acquired T-90 tanks, that sport a BVR missile of over 5-8 km engagement capability. ‘‘This would significantly enhance the fighting capability of the MBT Arjun since its maximum effective range is 6 km as compared to the 2.5 km of conventional ammunition,’’ DRDO officials said. The missile can be fired either in a lofted trajectory against armoured fighting vehicles or in a flat trajectory against helicopters, they added. ‘‘The fire-control system of the tank will include laser designator to project a coded-laser beam on the target. Target designation can also be done by another tank or ground laser designator,’’ they said. The DRDO said some of the newly-developed Lahat missiles had recently been test-fired from the main gun of the MBT Arjun in field trials to confirm the missile launch parameters such as sabot separation. Officials said the penetration capability of the missile warhead was tested and ‘‘the results conform to the requirements’’. The missile has been developed by Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) in collaboration with a private firm. The breakthrough in developing the missiles comes at a time when the MBT Arjun programme is facing slippage. Only four tanks have so far rolled out of the Avadi plant, with the Defence ministry giving the go ahead for building 125 tanks for the Army. According to the original schedule, the first regiment of the tanks was slated to enter service with the Army by early next year.
